Welcome to the WBFC
Yakima River Aquatic/NonAquatic
Insect hatch chart. We have
complied a complete list of all the
major insect hatches along with
baitfish and other fish food sources
that occur on a yearly basis. Feel free to contact us with any questions or problems that you
may encounter during the viewing.

This is the first major
aquatic insect hatch of the new year. The nymph migration
begins during the winter months. We start seeing the
adults around the middle of February, when water temps elevate
past 42 degrees.

March Browns are probably
the most intense hatch of mayflies the river will see all
year. Emergence begins during the latter days of March
and become consistent each day through the month of April.
An afternoon emergence.

Caddisflies are abundant on
the Yakima and begin blooming during the warming month of
April. Hatches will intensify around Mothers Day and
last well into the latter parts of Autumn. Olive, tan, black
and brown size 14-18

The grand-daddy of all
stoneflies begins its importance during the month of April as
these 3" long nymphs migrate to the shores of the river.
Adults can emerge from April to June. Size 4-6

Green Drake

The Green Drake is a spring
mayfly occurring for only a short period on the Yakima.
It is also very river section specific, emerging only in
specified areas of the river. A delightful April or May
encounter. Size 10-12

Golden Stoneflies typically
begin showing up during the first few days of summer.
Their emergence is quite peculiar, as they emerge right from
the water, neglecting to migrate like other stoneflies.
Very exciting dry fly fishing.

The Yakima Rivers summer
mayfly, the PMD will begin its seasonal debut during the
latter portions of May. This uniquely colored mayfly
will emerge throughout the summer months. Size 16 dead on.

Grasshoppers

Terrestrial activity is very
important, especially during the dog days of summer. The
high, bushy banks of the Yakima is home to a variety of
hoppers. They will vary in color and size dependant on
stream vegetation.

Ants

Ants in both red and black
are a highly viable resource for the Yakima trout. The
little insect is highly vulnerable during the spring and
summer months, especially during periods of high winds.
Size 16-18. A key component.

Beetles

Beetles also thrive along
the river banks of the Yakima in a variety of sizes and
colors. Typically black in color, these terrestrial
insects are also a key ingredient during the months of summer.
Sizes vary-10-16

This small stonefly is a
high summer emergent that occurs during the heat of the day.
The upper portions and farmlands area of the Yakima
experiences much greater hatches then the lower canyon area.
Size 16-18

The Cranefly in late August
thru September supplies resident Yakima fish a potent food
source while providing early autumn fly fishers with some of
the funniest dry fly fishing of the year. The Cranefly
grub is a constant year-round food source throughout the
river for resident fish.

They Yakima rivers most
prolific stonefly, hands down. Thousands of nymphs begin
migrating as early as July. Adults will appear during
August and intensify in September. Males do not fly.
Skate, twitch, twitch. Size 4-6

The rivers big Fall Caddis
emergent. The October Caddis begins pupation in late
August and adults will appear as early as the first week of
September. An important Fall aquatic event for Yakima
rainbows. Size 6-8

Mahogany Dun

Another important Fall
Mayfly. Mahogany Duns will appear in the latter portions
of the afternoon, generally mixed among a hatch of Autumn
Baetis. Watch carefully for which insect the trout are
selecting.

Light Cahill

The Light Cahill is another
important Mayfly that will hatch on the Yakima during the Fall
months of September and October. Very similar to our
summer PMD Mayfly, but with a distinct brighter color and
generally a size 18.

Sculpin

The Yakima is host to a
variety of baitfish species. The Sculpin is undoubtedly
the most common. Trout of all sizes, feed in
discriminatively on these species. A favorite forage all
year.

Crayfish

Crayfish are abundant and
thrive throughout the Yakima River. Crayfish vary in
size and color and are highly vulnerable during molting
periods. During these times, trout prey on this soft
shelled crustacean.

Stickleback

Stickleback are another
common baitfish in the Yakima. They thrive along the
weeds and shorelines of the river where adequate cover exists.
A full grown adult is about 2 inches in length.

Alevin

Chinook and Coho Salmon
Alevin are a major resource for resident trout in the early
spring months. Fall runs of salmon are abundant in areas
of the Yakima, so these patterns fish appropriately are
productive.

Salmon
Fry

Fry are also a commodity
to larger rainbows that will feed on these immature
salmon. They reside in the system a full year before
smolting. Smolts then move down river to the Pacific to
begin their adult life cycle.

Whitefish Eggs

Rocky Mountain Whitefish
make up a percentage of game fish in the Yakima. From November
to February, these native fish build redds and spawn in most
areas of the river.

The
WBFC EDU is dedicated to educating anglers on all aspects of fly fishing and one of if not the most, important pieces to that puzzle is food. Under our Insects, Hatches, and Baitfish section anglers will be introduced to the large selection of species that call our river home and our trout call lunch. Anglers will also have an
in-depth look at what flies imitate what sources of food and many of those patterns will also have videos under our media section for you to reference when preparing for your next fishing adventure.

From Stoneflies to Caddis, Crawdads to Sculpin we here at WBFC want you to have access to the most information around when it comes to fly fishing. The team at Worley Bugger Fly Co. is dedicated to making you into the best fly fisherman possible. Check the Links below or above to be directed to our fly tying and
EDU Videos, our
Hatches Index, and our
Insect Identification
for an in-depth look at food for trout.